Enhanced Visible Light Irradiation Photocatalytic Performance of MgFe₂O₄ After Growing with ZnO Nanoshell and Silver Nanoparticles

MgFe₂O₄ implanted with ZnO and silver nanoparticles has been successfully synthesized. The formation mechanism of the core~shell structured Ag/ZnO/MgFe₂O₄ nanoparticles was investigated. The efficacy of degradation of an organic dye was compared under the visible light irradiation with the individual components (MgFe₂O₄, ZnO, and Ag). The structure of Ag/ZnO/MgFe₂O₄ nanoparticles was established from detailed structural analyses using a vibrating-sample magnetometer (VSM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Ag/ZnO/MgFe₂O₄ nanoparticles showed a saturation magnetization (M_s) of 44 emu/g. It is seen from the results that ZnO is coated on the surface of MgFe₂O₄ nanoparticles, and Ag nanoparticles are attached to the edge of the ZnO/MgFe₂O₄ nanoparticles. In addition, the nanoparticles were found to be spherical with appropriate structures. The electron transfer mechanism greatly enhances the rhodamine B (RhB) degradation rate, which is illustrated and discussed in detail. The obtained Ag/ZnO/MgFe₂O₄ nanoparticles were photostable and magnetically recyclable with potential application in the degradation of organic pollutants.